Damon Runyan rogue tense.

[musicman1956]

I was told Damon Runyan of Guys and Dolls fame wrote all his stories in the present tense except for 1 instance in a story where he wrote a line in either the past or future. I bought and read a "complete works" of his and it's true, the whole lot is completely in one tense and it's strange to read, very surreal. BUT, I can't find the rogue line. Does it exist?

[Quizmonster]

The Lily of St Pierre contains a past tense. That should help you to find it at least! Click here for confirmation.

[Quizmonster]

Another website claims the one and only past form occurs near the end of that story, so that should narrow it down even further. If you find it, please quote it here. Thank you.

[garyray9]

The line is towards the end of the story, and it is the only instance where Runyon uses the verb "was". It could be argued, however in the context of the entire sentence, that the sentence is in present tense.

"But I can get no further than this, for something comes up in my throat, and I sit down by the grave of Mrs. Jack O'Hearts, who was Lily Dorval, and for the first time I remember I bust out crying."